Why are interpersonal/communication skills important?

Good communication skills are important in many aspects of life, and the business environment is certainly no exception. No matter how talented the individual may be, if they lack the skills required to turn their thoughts into useful contributions then it will be to the firm's disadvantage.

For example, an employee could have spent hours producing the most brilliant presentation that has ever been created in order to win a contract from a potential client, but if they lack the interpersonal skills to present it effectively and confidently then it is unlikely to convince those listening to the presentation that the firm could deliver on its promises and that it 'simply has' to choose your firm over the competition, and the new order will be lost. Can your business really afford to let that happen?